Whistleblowing (Protected Disclosure) Policy template
Qualifying disclosures, protected channels, anti-victimisation and the public interest test.
- Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
- Employment Rights Act 1996, ss.43A–43L
What the policy covers
- 1. POLICY STATEMENTyour company is committed to conducting its business with honesty and integrity.
- 3. HOW TO RAISE A CONCERNConcerns should be raised in the first instance with the employee's line manager.
- 4. CONFIDENTIALITYyour company will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of a whistleblower.
- 5. PROTECTION FROM VICTIMISATIONWorkers who make a qualifying disclosure in good faith are protected from dismissal, detriment and unfair treatment under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
- 6. MALICIOUS DISCLOSURESThis policy protects disclosures made in good faith.
Who needs it
Any UK employer whose people can get hurt, handle personal data or spend company money. Inspectors, insurers and principal contractors ask to see these first.
Questions people ask
Is a whistleblowing (protected disclosure) policy a legal requirement?
It rests on Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and Employment Rights Act 1996, ss.43A–43L. Some policies must be written down once a business reaches a certain size or does certain work; others are simply how a tribunal, an inspector or a client's auditor expects to see that you have thought about it. A clear, dated, signed policy is the evidence either way. Guidance, not legal advice.
Can I change it to suit how we work?
Yes. Inside Work-Lynx it is a starting point: put your company name in, adjust the arrangements to what you actually do, set the review date and publish it. Staff read and acknowledge it on their phones, and you can see who has not.
Is it up to date?
Last reviewed April 2025. The pack is updated when the law moves, and every policy carries a review date so it does not quietly go stale.
How do I get it?
It is preloaded in Work-Lynx with the other 48 UK policies. Work-Lynx is £2.50 a month plus £1 per employee, 14 days free, no card, and what you see on the pricing page is the bill.
Who is it for?
Any UK employer whose people can get hurt, handle personal data or spend company money. Inspectors, insurers and principal contractors ask to see these first.
All 49 UK policies, £2.50 a month
This policy and 48 others are already in Work-Lynx, alongside GPS clock-in, rotas, timesheets, leave and Employ AI for UK employment law. £2.50 base plus £1 per employee a month. 14 days free, no card, no sales call.
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